Latest news with #ManagementPlan
Observer
6 days ago
- Science
- Observer
Oman initiates protection of humpback whales
Muscat, June 15 In a rare convergence of international scientists, environmental leaders and policymakers, Oman played host last week to a groundbreaking workshop focused on protecting one of the world's most endangered and isolated whale populations — the Arabian Sea humpback whale. The workshop was considered the start of efforts to develop a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the population, which is isolated to the Arabian Sea and listed as Endangered under the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species. The workshop facilitated regional collaboration, particularly between Oman and India, guiding the convergence of national conservation efforts into a regional framework. This process is supported by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in conjunction with the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), platforms with a conservation agenda that will allow the plan to be adopted by all range states boarding the Arabian Sea. 'The scientific community has built a strong foundation of knowledge over the past 25 years,' said Suaad al Harthy of the Environment Society of Oman. 'The CMP efforts now support the aspirations for development of government policy and regional collaboration.' During the workshop participants also examined past and ongoing threat mitigation strategies and reflected on international legal instruments and regional initiatives that could support the CMP's development. A special focus was placed on Masirah, which is internationally recognised as an 'Important Marine Mammal Area' and home to what is considered to be the most important Arabian Sea humpback whale habitat in Oman. The three-day gathering has resulted in a shared vision for marine mammal protection in the region. Stakeholders aim to engage more actively in marine mammal monitoring and conservation and draft a non-binding CMP agreement between Oman and India that paves the way for a wider regional CMP under the auspices of the IWC and CMS. 'Scientific teams from around the region have been identifying threats and advocating for protection of this population as a matter of urgency' commented Dr Andrew Willson from Future Seas. 'The threats from human activities throughout this population's range are rapidly accelerating and the whales are faced with the cumulative impacts of multiple stressors." Collaboration between scientists, government and industry is the only way to tackle these multiple threats. The interest shown by the shipping industry to support the management plan is truly encouraging and demonstrates concern and willingness of industry to navigate carefully through sensitive areas'. This sentiment was best captured by Captain Wolfram Guntermann, representing the World Shipping Council, who very simply stated, 'The life of an endangered whale is priceless'.
NZ Herald
13-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Northland news in brief: Homicide investigation launched
Police were also seeking any CCTV along Mangakahia Rd, Otaika Valley Rd and State Highway 14 towards Whangārei. Police would particularly like any dashcam footage on the same route between 2pm-8pm. Anyone with information should make a report online, or call 105, quoting the reference number 250509/6749. Information could also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Reserve feedback Far North District Council wants feedback about Rangitoto Reserve, on the Hihi Peninsula in Doubtless Bay. Rangitoto Reserve was classified as a Historic Reserve in October 2024 to recognise its cultural and historical importance. The site includes an impressive pā with visible features such as terracing and kumara pits. The name comes from rangi, meaning 'day,' and toto, meaning 'blood' – understood to signify a 'day of blood.' It may have been the location of a battle, adding to its historic and cultural significance. The council is developing a Reserve Management Plan, with input from local hapū, to ensure it is protected. Council also wants to understand the natural environment and other values connected to the reserve. Submissions can be made via email at submissions@ in person at any FNDC service centre or library, or by mail, by June 2. Rural health roadshow Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be going to 12 rural locations across the country on a Rural Health Roadshow, including Kaitāia. The Rural Health Strategy was published in 2023 and sets the direction for improving the health of people who live in rural communities. Doocey says the rural health road show is an opportunity to hear from the public and those working in rural health about how well the strategy is being implemented. The roadshow will be in Kaitāia on August 7 and to register go to Māori-influenced playground Work is now under way on Te Amo Pūtoro, the first council-owned māra hūpara in the Far North, located at the Kerikeri Sports Complex. Rather than a traditional playground, Te Amo Pūtoro is a māra hūpara – a play space inspired by traditional Māori design using natural materials like logs, rocks and plants. It's a space for all ages to move, explore, and reconnect with te taiao (the natural world). Festival seeks bigger centre The country's premier kapa haka festival has grown so much, organisers have had to cancel plans for this year's event to be hosted in Nelson, and are now looking for a larger centre to take it on. The board of Te Matatini Society Incorporated decided on Friday not to hold the 2027 festival in Te Tauihu o te Waka-a-Māui (Nelson), tiamana (chairperson) Tā Herewini Parata saying it was no reflection on the city but a result of concerns over smaller regions' ability to accommodate burgeoning numbers of kaihaka and supporters. Unesco site call The Conservation Department is calling for suggestions of places that are worthy of being added to New Zealand's existing Unesco World Heritage sites. DoC's international manager, Danica Stent, said New Zealand had some of the most remarkable sites of natural and cultural heritage in the world, worthy of global recognition. Anyone interested in submitting a nomination should do so by July 31, allowing DoC to provide any advice needed to support development of applications. The final closing date for applications is January, 30, 2026. Visit DOC's website
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
State relies on centre's War Book to manage war-like situations
MUMBAI: Maharashtra does not have a plan to manage war and war-like situations; under these circumstances, it is guided by the Union War Book of the central government for civil response, and the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) prepared by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The state, however, does have a Disaster Management Plan to tackle other kinds of emergencies such as natural and nuclear disasters. At a security review meeting on Friday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the state administration to study the Union War Book and disseminate the information to all the authorities concerned. The meeting was held hours before the ceasefire between India and Pakistan was declared. The State Disaster Management Plan 2023 mentions the role of various authorities, from district collectors, to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Management Authority, which is headed by the chief minister, among others. One of the chapters focuses on measures to be taken in case of various natural disasters as well as industrial chemical disasters, and nuclear and radiological emergencies. It provides detailed information on what needs to be done in case of an accident at a nuclear facility leading to large-scale release of radioactivity. However, the State Disaster Management Plan offers nothing in case of a war. 'The role of disaster management comes in at a later stage. We come into the picture for relief work, and hence the State Disaster Management Plan doesn't have anything specific relating to war. For instance, in a war, our work would be limited to dousing fires and rescuing people trapped under rubble in a coordinated response. All this is spelt out in detail,' said an official from the state disaster management department. Sonia Sethi, additional chief secretary, disaster management department, did not respond to queries sent via text. IS Chahal, additional chief secretary, home, too did not respond to calls and text messages from HT. An official from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) clarified that all states, not just Maharashtra, follow the Union War Book in war-like situations. 'The subject of war directly relates to the central government. The idea of the Union War Book is to guide states on their response if a war breaks out,' he said. The Union War Book is a manual that specifies the roles of various authorities in war time, including the police, railways, road and sea transport, health and emergency services, civil aviation, among other branches of the state. Devised after Independence, it has been revised periodically.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Weekly Water Supply Update
Press Release – Watercare Services Built in 1910, Waitkere Dam is Aucklands oldest water supply dam. It holds 1.7 billion litres of water. Water from here is treated at our Waitkere Water Treatment Plant before being distributed to Aucklanders. Current status in Drought Management Plan: Preparing for drought. Learn more here. Total dam storage today: 64.9% Historical average dam storage: 73.3% Seven-day average water use: 415 million litres per day Leaks reported last week: 1041 Leaks fixed last week: 1034 Weather forecast for the week: Drier than normal You can see live dam levels here on our website. Dam of the Week This week, we're looking at Waitākere Dam in the Waitākere Ranges. Today, it is 67.4 per cent full. When it was photographed on 21 April it was 67.3 per cent full. Built in 1910, Waitākere Dam is Auckland's oldest water supply dam. It holds 1.7 billion litres of water. Water from here is treated at our Waitākere Water Treatment Plant before being distributed to Aucklanders.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Portland City Council grants appeal against PGE's Forest Park transmission line
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Portland City Council has tentatively granted an appeal by local conservationists who opposed a plan that would allow Portland General Electric to remove five acres of trees to build power lines in Forest Park. The has been fighting PGE's plan to install a quarter-mile transmission line for months, and has upped the ante since the was in January 2025. Hay spills over road after serious injury crash closes Highway 26 near Government Camp Following the decision, the group to relocate PGE's plan to Portland Permitting & Development, claiming the project would remove 397 trees, fill two wetlands, and disrupt two streams. 'The trees in the park are than trees outside the park. For example, PGE owns some properties up north of the Wapato Bridge that could be used for one of these alternate routes,' Carol Chesarek with the Forest Park Neighborhood Association said. 'The trees in the park are more protected, and it's important that we maintain those protections…We should not rewrite the city code — and remove protections from the park — for [PGE].' Chesarek also warned that allowing the hearings officer to rewrite the city code would lead to a slippery slope of more and more developments in Forest Park. 'The goal of the Management Plan is clear: Protect the resources in the park and grow an ancient forest. PGE's proposal is directly opposed to those goals,' Chesarek said. The utility stated that it hired a board-certified master arborist to identify the maximum amounts of trees that could be preserved throughout the park. The utility also said working in the proposed area would not affect 'old growth habitat.' 'They're in our heart': Cornelius community mourns mom, 3 kids found dead as homicide investigation continues PGE officials previously shared the following statement with KOIN 6 News: 'The decision to approve PGE's permit request is an example of the process working as it should, and will allow PGE to proceed with work that is crucial for safe, reliable and increasingly clean energy for Portland homes and businesses.' The appeal was approved Thursday evening following a calling for an end to the plan. 'When I think about Forest Park, it's probably one of the city's greatest resources — not just for its biodiversity but its natural beauty and especially for the recreational and educational opportunities that we all enjoy immensely,' Councilor Loretta Smith said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
